Healthy Homes Assessment Waiohiki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Waiohiki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Waiohiki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Waiohiki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Waiohiki, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Waiohiki rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Waiohiki rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Waiohiki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Waiohiki

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Waiohiki

Waiohiki rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Waiohiki

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Waiohiki

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Waiohiki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Waiohiki

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Waiohiki include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Waiohiki for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.